Decision Maker (EO2), Corporate Information Branch
Company: Police Service of Northern Ireland
Location: Greater Belfast
Contract type: Permanent
Job details
The role holder will support the PSNI in ensuring it delivers against its statutory obligations under key legislation, including the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI), Environmental Information Regulation 2004 (EIR), and the right of ‘access’ under Data Protection Legislation including the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA), the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA), and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
The successful candidate will be part of a team and will take ownership for the processing of requests for information to ensure the PSNI provides accurate, timely responses in compliance with its legal obligations. This includes deciding what information can be released or withheld, applying legal exemptions where necessary, while maintaining high standards of transparency and integrity.
The role also involves supporting continuous improvement, contributing to training and peer review, and providing advice to colleagues and members of the public.
Hours of Work: Monday – Friday 37 hours per week.
Salary: £30,458 - £31,097 plus £1422 environmental allowance
Main Activities
Casework Management
* Taking ownership for processing information requests made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), and Data Protection legislation (DPA/UK GDPR/DUAA), ensuring responses are completed accurately, lawfully, and within statutory timeframes.
* Managing own workload, self‑allocating requests to maintain a proper caseload and meet statutory deadlines.
* Applying subject matter expertise to manage all stages of the request process: logging, allocation, research, stakeholder engagement, assessment of recorded information, application of exemptions, and quality assurance to provide a clear, concise response.
* Maintaining high legal compliance standards, ensuring decisions are well‑reasoned, clearly documented, and made with integrity and transparency.
Stakeholder Engagement
* Developing and maintaining professional relationships with teams and departments across the PSNI, providing advice, guidance, briefings, and assistance regarding legislation and handling of requests.
* Liaising with internal and external stakeholders, including the public, NPCC Central Referral Unit (NPCC CRU), PRONI, ICO, and PSNI departments.
* Responding to external queries and giving partners, external organisations and the public clear, expert advice and guidance on request handling and applicable legislation, whether by phone, email, or paper correspondence, including verification of identity and entitlement to information.
* Collaborating with external colleagues and partner agencies to share information and best practice.
Research and Decision‑Making
* Determining the appropriate legislation for progressing a request and establishing the best avenues for progression.
* Conducting thorough research to locate and assess relevant records, including system‑based searches and consultation with Record Owners.
* Consistently identifying and assessing disclosure harm, applying redactions and legal exemptions in line with legislation, and ensuring complete audit trails for harm, public interest, prejudice, balancing tests, and exemption application.
* Effectively prioritising and processing multiple requests governing public service data within tight legislative deadlines.
Operational Support
* Working effectively as part of the Corporate Information team to progress requests and questions received under the identified legislation and deliver excellence for the public.
* Providing regular updates regarding casework, raising issues requiring early guidance or intervention, and complying with internal policies and processes.
* Monitoring unallocated cases, validating requests, and engaging with requestors for clarification where required.
* Managing relevant mailboxes, processing physical correspondence, and contributing to records management, reporting, and additional tasks required by the Branch.
* Supporting the handling of internal reviews and complaints from the ICO and escalating complex or sensitive issues to senior staff as appropriate.
Continuous Improvement and Development
* Using skills and experience to identify and report/address root causes of problems in request handling.
* Undertaking regular training and professional development to keep knowledge up‑to‑date of legislation and procedures.
* Supporting a culture of learning by contributing to peer reviews, briefings, mentoring colleagues, and sharing knowledge across the team and wider organisation.
Duties and responsibilities outlined reflect the main elements of those associated with this position.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
Essential Skills and Experience
* 12 months experience interpreting and processing information requests under FOI, EIR and/or DP legislation in a work setting.
* Proven ability to simultaneously manage and prioritise multiple tasks, working effectively under pressure while meeting tight deadlines and maintaining high attention to detail.
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
* Experience in assessing information and applying sound judgement and decision‑making to prepare accurate, structured, written responses or formal communications.
Essential Other
* IT literate, specifically in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
* Access to transport that allows full job performance.
Desirable Skills and Experience
* Law degree or degree with legal component or experience processing/applying law enforcement provisions and exemptions under FOI and/or DP legislation.
* Experience contributing to team learning or continuous improvement, such as peer review, mentoring, or sharing best practice.
Additional Information
Appointment will depend on the candidate satisfying the vetting requirements for the role, which is SC. There is a minimum requirement for a three‑year checkable history immediately preceding the submission of a vetting questionnaire.
Selection Methodology
PSNI uses the Competency and Values Framework (CVF). Applicants meeting eligibility and essential qualifications will be assessed against the required values and competencies. Further guidance and CVF information are available on our website using the 2024 CVF for this role.
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